Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transplantation in Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Application and Challenges

Screening and identification of differential-expressed RNAs in thrombin-induced in vitro model of intracerebral hemorrhage

Survival of olfactory mucosal mesenchymal stem cells (OM-MSCs) remains the low level in the cerebral microenvironment during intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). This article aims to reveal the differential expression profile of ICH-stimulated OM-MSCs based on whole transcriptome sequence analysis. OM-MSCs were isolated from 6-week C57BL/6 mice. Morphology and surface markers of OM-MSCs were investigated by light microscope and flow cytometry, respectively. OM-MSCs were incubated with 20 U/mL thrombin for 24 h to mimic ICH-induced injury in vitro. Total RNA was extracted for whole transcriptome sequencing and qPCR. OM-MSCs were characterized by negative for CD45 and CD34, and positive for CD44, CD90 and CD29. Thrombin led to decrease in cell viability and increase in senescence and apoptosis in OM-MSCs. In total, 736 lncRNAs (upregulated: 393; downregulated: 343), 21 miRNAs (upregulated: 7; downregulated: 14) and 807 mRNAs (upregulated: 422; downregulated: 385) were identified. GO and KEGG pathways were enriched in protein heterodimerization activity, trans-synaptic signaling, membrane pathway, alcohol metabolic process, organic hydroxy compound biosynthesis process, secondary alcohol metabolic process, alcoholism, neutrophil extracellular trap formation, systemic lupus erythematosus, metabolic process, steroid biosynthesis and drug metabolism-cytochrome P450. 200 lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA were predicted in thrombin-induced OM-MSCs. Based on qPCR, we validated COMMD1B, MOAP1, lncRNA CAPN15, lncRNA ALDH1L2, miR-3473b and miR-1964-3p were upregulated in thrombin-stimulated OM-MSCs, and GM20431, lncRNA GAPDH and miR-122b-3p were downregulated. Our findings provide novel understanding for thrombin-induced injury in OM-MSCs. Differently-expressed RNAs can be the targets of improving therapeutic application of OM-MSCs.

MicroRNA-195-5p Inhibits Intracerebral Hemorrhage-Induced Inflammatory Response and Neuron Cell Apoptosis

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a severe condition characterized by bleeding within brain tissue. Primary brain injury in ICH results from a mechanical insult caused by blood accumulation, whereas secondary injury involves inflammation, oxidative stress, and disruption of brain physiology. miR-195-5p may participate in ICH pathology by regulating cell proliferation, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Therefore, we assessed the performance of miR-195-5p in alleviating ICH-induced secondary brain injury. ICH was established in male Sprague-Dawley rats (7 weeks old, 200-250 g) via the stereotaxic intrastriatal injection of type IV bacterial collagenase, after which miR-195-5p was administered intravenously. Neurological function was assessed using corner turn and forelimb grip strength tests. Protein expression was assessed by western blotting and ELISA. The miR-195-5p treatment significantly improved neurological function; modulated macrophage polarization by promoting anti-inflammatory marker (CD206 and Arg1) production and inhibiting pro-inflammatory marker (CD68 and iNOS) production; enhanced Akt signalling, reduced oxidative stress by increasing Sirt1 and Nrf2 levels, and attenuated inflammation by decreasing NF-κB activation; inhibited apoptosis via increased Bcl-2 and decreased cleaved caspase-3 levels; and regulated synaptic plasticity by modulating NMDAR2A, NMDAR2B, BDNF, and TrkB expression and ERK and CREB phosphorylation. In conclusion, miR-195-5p exerts neuroprotective effects in ICH by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, inhibiting apoptosis, and restoring synaptic plasticity, ultimately restoring behavioral recovery, and represents a promising therapeutic agent that warrants clinical studies.

Investigating recovery after a spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage in zebrafish larvae

Intracerebral haemorrhage is a debilitating stroke sub-type with high morbidity and mortality rates. For survivors, rehabilitation is a long process, and with no available therapeutics to limit the immediate pathophysiology of the haemorrhage, recovery is dependent on individual neuroplasticity. We have previously shown that zebrafish larvae can be used to model spontaneous brain haemorrhage. Zebrafish exhibit innate recovery mechanisms and are often used as a model system for investigation into regeneration after injury, including injury to the nervous system. Here, we investigate the spontaneous and immediate recovery in zebrafish larvae following an intracerebral haemorrhage at 2 days post-fertilisation, during pre-protected stages and over the first 3 weeks of life. We have shown that following the onset of bleed at ∼2 days post-fertilisation zebrafish are capable of clearing the haematoma through the ventricles. Brain cell damage associated with intracerebral haemorrhage is resolved within 48 h, and this recovery is associated with survival rates equal to wildtype and non-haemorrhaged sibling control animals. Larvae express more nestin-positive neural progenitor cells 24 h after injury when the most damage is observed, and through mass spectrometry analysis, we have determined that these cells are highly proliferative and may specially differentiate into oligodendrocytes. This study provides an insight into the haematoma resolution processes in a live, intact organism, and may suggest potential therapeutic approaches to support the recovery of intracerebral haemorrhage patients.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Dose-Escalation Safety and Tolerability Trial

BACKGROUND

We conducted a preliminary phase I, dose-escalating, safety, and tolerability trial in the population of patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) by using human allogeneic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells.

METHODS

Eligibility criteria included nontraumatic supratentorial hematoma less than 60 mL and Glasgow Coma Scale score greater than 5. All patients were monitored in the neurosciences intensive care unit for safety and tolerability of mesenchymal stem/stromal cell infusion and adverse events. We also explored the use of cytokines as biomarkers to assess responsiveness to the cell therapy. We screened 140 patients, enrolling 9 who met eligibility criteria into three dose groups: 0.5 million cells/kg, 1 million cells/kg, and 2 million cells/kg.

RESULTS

Intravenous administration of allogeneic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells to treat patients with acute ICH is feasible and safe.

CONCLUSIONS

Future larger randomized, placebo-controlled ICH studies are necessary to validate this study and establish the effectiveness of this therapeutic approach in the treatment of patients with ICH.

Precision Nanomedicine with Bio-Inspired Nanosystems: Recent Trends and Challenges in Mesenchymal Stem Cells Membrane-Coated Bioengineered Nanocarriers in Targeted Nanotherapeutics

In the recent past, the formulation and development of nanocarriers has been elaborated into the broader fields and opened various avenues in their preclinical and clinical applications. In particular, the cellular membrane-based nanoformulations have been formulated to surpass and surmount the limitations and restrictions associated with naïve or free forms of therapeutic compounds and circumvent various physicochemical and immunological barriers including but not limited to systemic barriers, microenvironmental roadblocks, and other cellular or subcellular hinderances-which are quite heterogeneous throughout the diseases and patient cohorts. These limitations in drug delivery have been overcome through mesenchymal cells membrane-based precision therapeutics, where these interventions have led to the significant enhancements in therapeutic efficacies. However, the formulation and development of nanocarriers still focuses on optimization of drug delivery paradigms with a one-size-fits-all resolutions. As mesenchymal stem cell membrane-based nanocarriers have been engineered in highly diversified fashions, these are being optimized for delivering the drug payloads in more and better personalized modes, entering the arena of precision as well as personalized nanomedicine. In this Review, we have included some of the advanced nanocarriers which have been designed and been utilized in both the non-personalized as well as precision applicability which can be employed for the improvements in precision nanotherapeutics. In the present report, authors have focused on various other aspects of the advancements in stem cells membrane-based nanoparticle conceptions which can surmount several roadblocks and barriers in drug delivery and nanomedicine. It has been suggested that well-informed designing of these nanocarriers will lead to appreciable improvements in the therapeutic efficacy in therapeutic payload delivery applications. These approaches will also enable the tailored and customized designs of MSC-based nanocarriers for personalized therapeutic applications, and finally amending the patient outcomes.

MSCs overexpressing GDNF restores brain structure and neurological function in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been applied in transplantation to treat intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) but with limited efficacy. Accumulated evidence has shown that glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) plays a crucial part in neuronal protection and functional recovery of the brain after ICH; however, GDNF has difficulty crossing the blood-brain barrier, which limits its application. In this study, we investigated the influences of MSCs overexpressing GDNF (MSCs/GDNF) on the brain structure as well as gait of rats after ICH and explored the possible mechanisms. We found that cell transplantation could reverse the neurological dysfunction and brain damage caused by ICH to a certain extent, and MSCs/GDNF transplantation was superior to MSCs transplantation. Moreover, Transplantation of MSCs overexpressing GDNF effectively reduced the volume of bleeding foci and increased the level of glucose uptake in rats with ICH, which could be related to improving mitochondrial quality. Furthermore, GDNF produced by transplanted MSCs/GDNF further inhibited neuroinflammation, improved mitochondrial quality and function, promoted angiogenesis and the survival of neurons and oligodendrocytes, and enhanced synaptic plasticity in ICH rats when compared with simple MSC transplantation. Overall, our data indicate that GDNF overexpression heightens the curative effect of MSC implantation in treating rats following ICH.

Curcumin preconditioning enhances the neuroprotective effects of olfactory mucosa-derived mesenchymal stem cells on experimental intracerebral hemorrhage

Oxidative stress is essential in brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Ferroptosis, iron-dependent oxidative cell death, overwhelms the antioxidant system. Recently, Olfactory mucosa-derived mesenchymal stem cells (OM-MSCs) hold great potential for treating ferroptosis-mediated oxidative brain damage after ICH. However, massive grafted cell death, possibly caused by a hostile host brain microenvironment, lessens the effectiveness of OM-MSCs. Therefore, it is necessary to develop strategies to upregulate the therapeutic efficacy of OM-MSCs in ICH. Curcumin, a well-established traditional herbal substance, has potent antioxidant property. In the present study, curcumin preconditioning might enhance the anti-oxidative activity of OM-MSCs, thereby augmenting the therapeutic efficacy of OM-MSCs in ICH. In vitro model of ICH, we demonstrated that curcumin-preconditioned OM-MSCs co-culture is more effective in attenuating the cell injury, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis of neuronal cells compared to the native OM-MSCs treatment. In vivo model of ICH, transplantation of curcumin-preconditioned OM-MSCs also showed better neuroprotective effects. Moreover, curcumin pretreatment promoted the survival of OM-MSCs under a conditioned medium from hemin-insulted neurons by improving the anti-oxidative capacities of OM-MSCs. Collectively, our investigation suggested that curcumin preconditioning effectively enhanced the survival and neuroprotective effects of OM-MSCs in the ICH model by upregulating the anti-oxidative capacities of OM-MSCs. Curcumin-preconditioned OM-MSCs might be taken as a novel therapeutic strategy for treating ICH.

Alpha terpineol directs bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells toward neuronal lineage through regulation of wnt signaling pathway

Central nervous system anomalies give rise to neuropathological consequences with immense damage to the neuronal tissues. Cell based therapeutics have the potential to manage several neuropathologies whereby the differentiated cells are explored for neuronal regeneration. The current study analyzes the effect of a bioactive compound, alpha terpineol (AT) on the differentiation of rat bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) toward neuronal lineage, and explores regulation of differentiation process through the study of Wnt pathway mediators. BM-MSCs were cultured and characterized based on their surface markers and tri-lineage differentiation. Safe dose of AT as optimized by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, was used for the treatment of MSCs. Treated cells were analyzed for the neuronal, astroglial and germ layer transition markers at the gene and protein levels, by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry, respectively. Temporal expression of Wnt pathway genes was assessed during the course of neuronal differentiation. AT treated group showed significant upregulation of neuron specific (NSE, MAP2, Tau, Nestin, and NefL) and astroglial (GFAP) genes with positive expression of late neuronal markers. Germ layer transition analysis showed the overexpression of ectodermal markers (NCAM, Nestin, and Pax6), whereas endodermal (AFP, MixL1, and Sox17), and mesodermal (Mesp1 and T Brachyury) markers were also found to be upregulated. Wnt signaling pathway was activated during the initial phase (30 min) of differentiation, which later was downregulated at 1, 3, and 5 h. AT efficiently induces neuronal differentiation of BM-MSCs by regulating Wnt signaling. Overexpression of both early and late neuronal markers indicate their neuro-progenitor state and thus can be utilized as a promising approach in cellular therapeutics to treat various neurodegenerative ailments. In addition, exploration of the molecular pathways may be helpful to understand the mechanism of cell-based neuronal regeneration.

Olfactory mucosa tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells lysate ameliorates LPS-induced acute liver injury in mice

Background

Acute liver injury (ALI) induced by sepsis seriously endangers the health of human beings every year. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) lysate containing various regulators had a positive effect on anti-inflammation, hoping to provide a promising strategy in ALI.

Methods

Olfactory mucosa-derived mesenchymal stem cells (OM-MSCs) were extracted and identified. The collected OM-MSCs were prepared after repeated freeze–thaw in phosphate buffer solution (PBS). Then, OM-MSCs lysate was filtered for future experiments. To understand the composes of OM-MSCs clearly, we detected the components of OM-MSCs lysate by western blotting. In vitro, OM-MSCs lysate was applied to evaluate the effects on normal human liver cells (LO-2) under stimulation of LPS. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was also injected intraperitoneally to build ALI model in mice. We further assessed the anti-inflammatory capacity of OM-MSCs lysate on ALI in vivo by aminotransferase determination, pathology observation, and immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, the immunoblot technique was performed to recognize the changes in inflammatory factors and related proteins.

Results

In this study, we found that OM-MSCs lysate could protect structure effectively, improve the plasma aminotransferases, diminish inflammation by releasing interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). A significant decrease in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) also occurred under the treatment of OM-MSCs lysate. In addition, trophic factors originating from OM-MSCs lysate provided a supportive micro-environment for liver recovery. Especially, up-expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in vivo revealed that OM-MSCs might have a great potential for healing.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that OM-MSCs lysate could alleviate LPS-induced ALI via decreasing inflammatory cytokines and promoting recovery.

Efficacy of stem cell therapy in animal models of intracerebral hemorrhage: an updated meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Multiple studies have reported that stem cell therapy has beneficial effects in animal models of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, this finding remains inconclusive. This study was performed to systematically determine the effect size of stem cell therapy in ICH animal models by pooling and analyzing data from newly published studies.

METHODS

A literature search identified studies of stem cells in animal models of ICH. We searched mainstream databases from inception to November, 2021. And pooled effect size of stem cells was determined for diversified neurobehavioral scales and structural endpoints using random effects models.

RESULTS

The median quality score of 62 included studies was 5.32. Our results revealed an overall positive effect of stem cell therapy. More specifically, the SMD was - 2.27 for mNSS, - 2.14 for rotarod test, - 2.06 for MLPT, - 1.33 for cylinder test, - 1.95 for corner turn test, - 1.42 for tissue loss, and - 1.86 for brain water content. For mNSS, classifying comparisons by quality score showed significant differences in estimates of effect size (p = 0.013), and high-quality comparisons showed a better outcome (SMD = - 2.57) compared with low-quality comparisons (SMD = - 1.59). Besides, different delivery routes also showed a significant difference in the estimates of effect size for mNSS (p = 0.002), and the intraperitoneal route showed the best outcome (SMD = - 4.63). For tissue loss, the autologous blood-induced ICH model showed a better outcome (SMD = - 1.84) compared with the collagenase-induced ICH model (SMD = - 0.94, p = 0.035). Additionally, stem cell therapy initiated within 8 h post-ICH showed the greatest efficacy on tissue loss reduction, followed by initiated with 24 h post-ICH. Finally, stem cells with different sources and types showed similar beneficial effects for mNSS as well as tissue loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggested that stem cell therapy had remarkable benefits on ICH animals on both the functional and structural outcomes in animal models of ICH, with very large effect size. These findings support the utility of further studies to translate stem cells in the treatment of ICH in humans. Moreover, the results should be interpreted in the light of the limitations in experimental design and the methodological quality of the studies included in the meta-analysis.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Application and Its Therapeutic Mechanisms in Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), a common lethal subtype of stroke accounting for nearly 10–15% of the total stroke disease and affecting two million people worldwide, has a high mortality and disability rate and, thus, a major socioeconomic burden. However, there is no effective treatment available currently. The role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in regenerative medicine is well known owing to the simplicity of acquisition from various sources, low immunogenicity, adaptation to the autogenic and allogeneic systems, immunomodulation, self-recovery by secreting extracellular vesicles (EVs), regenerative repair, and antioxidative stress. MSC therapy provides an increasingly attractive therapeutic approach for ICH. Recently, the functions of MSCs such as neuroprotection, anti-inflammation, and improvement in synaptic plasticity have been widely researched in human and rodent models of ICH. MSC transplantation has been proven to improve ICH-induced injury, including the damage of nerve cells and oligodendrocytes, the activation of microglia and astrocytes, and the destruction of blood vessels. The improvement and recovery of neurological functions in rodent ICH models were demonstrated via the mechanisms such as neurogenesis, angiogenesis, anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, and synaptic plasticity. Here, we discuss the pathological mechanisms following ICH and the therapeutic mechanisms of MSC-based therapy to unravel new cues for future therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, some potential strategies for enhancing the therapeutic function of MSC transplantation have also been suggested.

Early-phase administration of human amnion-derived stem cells ameliorates neurobehavioral deficits of intracerebral hemorrhage by suppressing local inflammation and apoptosis

Background

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a significant cause of death and disabilities. Recently, cell therapies using mesenchymal stem cells have been shown to improve ICH-induced neurobehavioral deficits. Based on these findings, we designed this study to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanisms by which human amnion-derived stem cells (hAMSCs) would ameliorate neurobehavioral deficits of ICH-bearing hosts.

Methods

hAMSCs were induced from amnia obtained by cesarean section and administered intravenously to ICH-bearing mice during the acute phase. The mice were then subject to multitask neurobehavioral tests at the subacute phase. We attempted to optimize the dosage and timing of the hAMSC administrations. In parallel with the hAMSCs, a tenfold higher dose of human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were used as an experimental control. Specimens were obtained from the ICH lesions to conduct immunostaining, flow cytometry, and Western blotting to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the hAMSC treatment.

Results

The intravenous administration of hAMSCs to the ICH-bearing mice effectively improved their neurobehavioral deficits, particularly when the treatment was initiated at Day 1 after the ICH induction. Of note, the hAMSCs promoted clinical efficacy equivalent to or better than that of hADSCs at 1/10 the cell number. The systemically administered hAMSCs were found in the ICH lesions along with the local accumulation of macrophages/microglia. In detail, the hAMSC treatment decreased the number of CD11b⁺CD45⁺ and Ly6G⁺ cells in the ICH lesions, while splenocytes were not affected. Moreover, the hAMSC treatment decreased the number of apoptotic cells in the ICH lesions. These results were associated with suppression of the protein expression levels of macrophage-related factors iNOS and TNFα.

Conclusions

Intravenous hAMSC administration during the acute phase would improve ICH-induced neurobehavioral disorders. The underlying mechanism was suggested to be the suppression of subacute inflammation and apoptosis by suppressing macrophage/microglia cell numbers and macrophage functions (such as TNFα and iNOS). From a clinical point of view, hAMSC-based treatment may be a novel strategy for the treatment of ICH.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12974-022-02411-3.